This is the blog of China defense, where professional analysts and serious defense enthusiasts share findings on a rising military power.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

China continues fighting pirates off Africa

Citing escalating cost, there were speculations that the China Navy would stop sending ships to the Gulf of Aden as part of an International Counter-Piracy efforts off Somalia. I think the following official news release can put those speculations to rest for now. The Chinese high command still believes the long-term benefits of modern naval diplomacy, deployment opportunities, training and exercises still outweigh the cost of sending ships afar. In addition to hard military benefits, China’s on-going naval mission to fight pirates offers something sorely missing for her military – a good PR story.

For an in depth analysis of China's Anti-piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden thus far, Dr Andrew Erickson and Austin M. Strange's "No Substitute for Experience" is the best out there, bar none. You can download their article from US Naval War College's China Maritime Studies Institute website here

BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to send naval fleets on escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, described by a Chinese naval officer as the nation's international obligation.

The pirates in the area have become more violent and are brazen in using weapons. Reinforcing escort forces is a real need and a long-term mission, Ding Yiping, deputy commander in the Chinese Navy, said on Thursday, the fifth anniversary of China's first such escort mission.

In the past five years, China has sent 16 fleets composed of 42 warships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, escorting 5,465 vessels and rescuing 42 ships attacked by the pirates, said Ding.

A total of 13,214 marines have participated in the escort missions.

Pirate activity has dropped off drastically in the wake of the escorts from various countries, Ding said. Only 11 incidents have been recorded this year to date, and none of them were successful.

The navy will expand its escort area and strengthen cooperation with international forces to ensure regional and world peace, he said.

Ding said that China has no plan to send its aircraft carrier to the area as it is still in sea trials and is not yet combat-ready.